Slidable locking closure

ABSTRACT

A slidable closure device is positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container and moves in a horizontal direction to permit opening and resealing of the container. A breakaway tab on the clip prevents container opening unless the tab is removed.

United States Patent Wilkins 51 Sept. 26, 1972 [54] SLIDABLE LOCKING CLOSURE [72] Inventor: Howard Wilkins, Elmhurst, Ill.

[73] Assignee: General Foods Corporation, White Plains,N.Y.

[22] Filed: Nov. 12,1970

211 Appl. No. 88,894

[52] US. Cl. ..229/17 G, 24/305 R, 229/17 SC, 229/47 [51] Int. Cl. ..-B65d 5/74 [58] Field of Search ..229/7 SC, 17 SC, 17 G, 47, 229/65; 24/305 L, 30.5 R, 207; 222/559;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,064,432 12/1936 Keidel' ..24/30.5 R UX Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Attorney-Bruno P. Struzzi, Thomas V. Sullivan and Andrew G. Golian 57 ABSTRACT A slidable closure device is positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container and moves in a horizontal direction to permit opening and rescaling of the container. A breakaway tab on the clip prevents container opening unless the tab is removed.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures I 1 'SLIDABLE LOCKING CLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a slidable closure device which possesses utility with milk-type carton containers. Milk-type containers are well-known and have been used extensively for a number of years. These containers are not only used for milk but for any flowable substance whether it be liquid or solid such as a flowable'powde'r. The milk-type carton is normally of elongated rectangular or square shape. The top portion of the container contains slanted walls with a top ridge portion. At the ends of the slanted walls and top ridge may be gable sections. The top ridge portion is manufactured so that approximately one-half of the ridge may be split apart and in conjunction with an end wall, it forms an opening with'a pouring spout. After pouring at least a portion of thecontents from the milk-type carton container, sidewalls of the spout may be. re-

folded so that the-end wall and top original closed-condition.

ridge return to their Milktype carton containers and their various forms and jamming an opening of the spout if the clip has not been completely withdrawn from the ridge portion that comprises a portion of the spout. Additionally, problems have arisen in that the clip in sliding may be completely pulled away from the milk-type carton if the consumer is careless or applies excess pressure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The slidable closure device of the present disclosure is adapted to be used in conjunction with a milk-type carton container, which carton may be opened, rescaled and reused. As employed herein, a milk-type carton container does not refer to a container that is employed only for use with milk or liquid materials. The milk-type carton container as employed herein refers to a general class ofa container well-known in the prior art. This container employs a top ridge that may be opened to at least partially to form a pouring spout that may be closed so that the carton may be rescaled and employed for extensive storage.

Since the carton container may be madefrom paperboard or plastic constituents, some resilience is present in the side walls of the pouring spout, necessitating a closure device to insure complete sealing of the spout walls. A tightly closed container is desirable to prevent fresh oxygen from reacting and degrading the unused product in the container as well as to prevent loss of not in use. With improper sealing of the spout portion,

, dispensing material.

Another class of closure clips are permanently attached to the milk carton and no loss or misplacing of the clip can arise. This class of clips generally falls into two different types based upon their technique of operation.

The first type of non-removable clip is exemplified by Jackson, US. Pat. No. 3,217,967, patented Nov. 16, 1965. In this type of clip one end or portion acts as a fulcrum and is attached to the milk-type carton container. The closure clip rotates in a circular manner about this fulcrum to open and reclose the carton.

A second type of carton clip in which class the present invention may be grouped are horizontally sliding clipsof which Goldmann, US. Pat. No. 3,458,l l0,

patented July 29, 1969, is illustrative. In this type of closure clip the member slides along the top ridge of the container-In one'position on the ridge the closure clip completely seals the side walls forming the spout portion. The sliding of the clip to a second position on the ridge permits the spout to be opened and the contents of the milk-type container to be poured from the carton. However, in this type of sliding clip problems have arisen both in completely sealing the container volatiles in the product. Additionally, spillage of the product may take place if the container is not tightly closed.

An important problem that has faced both the manufacturer and the consumer is whether a newly packaged product bought in a store has been tampered prior to sale. Since the closure clip may be withdrawn from its position closing the container, improper handling of the container can result in loss of the product or contamination if the carton clip is moved from its normally closed position. Additionally, deliberate tampering with the product may take'place without realization on the part of the consumer. v

' The carton clips disclosed herein are designed so the consumer may be certain that the container has not been tampered prior to sale. A breakaway tab, positioned at one end of the slidable carton clip, prevents the container from being opened without removal of the tab. Thus with a tab integral to the closure device, the consumer will know that the product in the container is in its original state immediately after packagmg.

The closure clip of the present invention falls into the class of clips that are operated by sliding in a horizontal direction parallel to the top ridge of the milk-type carton container. Movement of the clip horizontally along the ridge either opens or closes the carton container. A problem that has arisen in prior art horizontally slidable carton clips is that the clip may be positioned somewhere between an opened and closed position. In this situation the clip ordinarily does not permit complete sealing of the spout portion if the carton container is to be used for extensive storage. Contamination or loss of product can result with improper closing of the sidewalls forming the spout. Improper positioning of the clip between an opened and closed position for consumer use means that the spout cannot be opened to its normal extended position. In such case,

additional effort by the consumer is necessary and possible jamming of the spout into the clip may take place.

The present closure clip solves additional problems of clip positioning in that it may be readily determined by the consumer whether the clip is in a completely opened or closed position as opposed to being positioned at a "point somewhere in between these extremes. The closure clip allows the consumer to tell by sight and by feel whether the carton clip has completely sealed the spout portion of the container. Similarly, the carton clip allows by sight or by feel whether the clip is in an open position so that the side walls of the spout portion may be completely opened for pouring of the enclosed product in the milk-type carton container. Additionally, when moving the clip to anopen or closed position, a portion of the clip will hit a stationary portion indicating by sound that the clip is in its desired position.

One embodiment determiningwhether the clip is in a completely opened or closed position is use of a lock protrusion atone end of the channel of the carton clip with the other channel endbeing sealed or obstructed. In an open position, the lock protrusion is in contact with a thicker portion of the container ridge. In a closed position,-the sealed or obstructed channel end contacts a portion of the container ridge to prevent further movement. 7

Another embodiment permitting complete certainty whether the' milk-type carton container device is completely opened or closed in relationship to the clip closure is a structure wherein the clip has an'elongated opening in a side wall in a direction parallel the elongated channel of the carton clip. A pin fits into the opening and permits movement of the carton clip only to a length equal to the length of the opening. In use in conjunction with the milk-type carton container, the

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES ANI) INVENTION Objects, advantages and application of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the drawings in the operation of the slidable closure device when it is to be employed in conjunction with the milk-type carton container:

FIGS. 1-58 are side or perspective views of the closure device alone or in conjunction with the top portion of the milk-type carton container.

FIG. 1 is a side view of the closure clip with a breakaway tab portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slidable closure device alone.

FIG. 3A is a perspective 'view of the closure clip in a completely closed position on a milk-type carton container.

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the slidable closure device in a completely open position ona milk-type carton container.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a slidable closure device with an inserted pin.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the slidable closure device in conjunction with a pin wherein the milk-type carton container is completely sealed.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the slidable closure device in an open positionwith the pin on a milk-type carton device.

Referring to the figures shown in the drawings, the invention will be described in specific detail. As mentioned previously, the integrity of the milk-type container 12 has presented problems since the consumer was uncertain at the time of purchase whether tampering of the package has occurred. While previous carton containerclosure devices are known to seal the carton effectively, no way of knowing with certainty was present whether the container had been previously opened by sliding the closure device. In contrast the closure device 11 of the present invention permits the added function to prevent opening or tampering of the milk-type carton container prior to sale and use. The closure device 11 is an elongated concave member of a generally U or V shaped channel with the bottom portion having an opening therein. At least one guide means 16 may project inward along the entire longitudinal channel length but such guide means are not necessary. Integrity of the carton container may be insured in the present invention by breakaway tab 13 which prevents movement of the locking closure in its normal horizontal direction. In order to move the clip from its closed position to an open position to allow the spout portion of the container to be opened, it is necessary to completely remove the breakaway tab 13. Since the breakaway tab 13 cannot be rejoined to the closure clip, it may readily be determined visually whether the milk-type carton container has been tampered with prior to sale. The breakaway tab 13 as shown in FIG. 1 may be connected completely across one end of the closure devicell or it may be connected only at one point such as shown in 14 in FIG. 1. With the connection between the breakaway tab and the closure device only at a small portion, the breakaway tab may slant away from the closure device tofacilitate gripping by the fingers for ease in breaking of the tab.

With the breakaway tab 13 removed from the carton clip, the container may be opened and subsequently resealed by sliding of the closure device 11 over the top ridge portion of the milk-type carton container. However, closure clips that are horizontally sliding have presented problems since it may be difficult to determine whether the closure clip is in a completely open or completely closed position. The use of the lock protrusion 15 in conjunction with a closed end portion 17 of the clip aid in determining when the carton clip is opened and closed.

This lock protrusion 15 is a projection which is shown to be perpendicular in FIG. 2 from the inner side walls of the closure device. The lock protrusion 15 shown is located at the bottom of the longitudinal opening of the generally U or V shaped closure device and at one end thereof. However, it is within the scope of this invention to position the lock protrusion on any portion of the inner side walls of the slidable closure device.

The sealing member 17 blocks at least partially one end of the elongated generally U or V shaped closure device. It is not necessary that the sealing member 17 completely seal the channel in the closure device so long as blockage of the channel occurs.

Inv operation with the breakaway tab portion 13 removed, external pressure is applied to the clip to permit horizontal movement of the clip to a completely opened position for subsequent use of the pouring spout 18 shown in FIG. 3B. The lock protrusion 15 acts in conjunction with the milk-type carton container so that it can be readily determined that the pouring spout 18 of the carton can be completely opened. Additionally, the lock protrusion in conjunction with the construction of the milk-type carton container acts in a fashion so that the clip will not be removed from the container. The construction of the top ridge of the container is thicker at 19 (FIG. 38) so that the top ridge binds on the thicker portion of container and further horizontal movement in the direction is prevented. The entire motion of movement of the clip from a closed to an open position is positive in nature in that the lock protrusion will strike against the thicker construction of the carton container. By sight, sound and feel, the person moving the clip may be certain that thespout 18 is ready who opened.

After pouring a portion of the contents'of the container, the spout 18 is folded to its closed position and the cartonclip 11 is horizontally moved to completely seal the folded pouring spout. The end portion 17 which at least partially blocks one end of the channel strikes against an end top ridge. Thus the movement of the clip from an open to closed position is positive in nature in that the' closed end will strike the end of the top ridge. By sight, sound and feel, the securing of the clip to a closed position may be determined.

A further modification of closure device is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment an elongated opening is present in the wall of the closure device 11 essentially parallel to the longitudinal channel in the clip. Inserted into the opening in the wall of the clip is a pin 21 which forces the slidable closure device to be integral and non-removable from the milk-type carton container. The length of the horizontal opening 23 in the wall determines the length that the closure device may be moved in a horizontal direction parallel to the top ridge of the carton container. The pin 21 may be positioned on the carton container as shown in FIG. 5A so that the pin striking a'horizontal end of the opening denotes that the clip completely closes and seals the carton container.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5B, the pin 21 striking the opposite end of theopening in the wall portion means the spout portion 18 may be completely opened without binding on the carton clip.

It will be readily seen that positioning of the pin portion 21, in conjunction with the length of the opening 23 will be determinative of the exact positioning of the clip as well as its length of horizontal movement. Additionally, in operation the user would normally move the clip until the pin hits against its horizontal extremity either in opening or closing. Therefore in normal operation no problem exists in either completely opening the carton and subsequently rescaling the carton after use. Thus by sight, feel and sound, the user of the carton clip can readily determine whether the clip is positioned in a completely open or closed position.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific configurations and embodiments, it will be realized that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. As an example the lock protrusion does not have to be located at an end of the channel but may be located inward on the inner wall of the closure device. The concept of employing a lock protrusion is that it binds on a thicker section of the top ridge of the milk-type carton container. Additionally, while a sealing member is employed with the lock protrusion, it may take the form of v a second lock protrusion which binds on a portion of the thicker section of the top ridge. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A slidable closure device adapted to be positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container permitting the carton to be opened and resealed, comprisingan elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel; and a removable breakaway tab portion blocking at least a portion of one end of said channel with the intact and positioned tab portion functioning to ensure that said container has not been opened.

2. The slidable closure device of claim 1 wherein said elongated concave member possesses a lock protrusion projecting from an inner wall of said concave elongated member which acts with the container to limit movement in a horizontal direction and an obstruction portion at least partially closing said channel and acting with the container to limit movement in a second horizontal direction.

3. The slidable closure device of claim 2 wherein said lock protrusion is essentially perpendicular to said inner wall at a point of contact.

4. The slidable closure device of claim 1 wherein said elongated concave member possesses an elongated opening parallel to the direction of said channel and a pin element insertable in said elongated opening.

5. A slidable closure device on a top ridge of a milktype carton container permitting the carton to be opened and resealed, comprising an elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel, an obstruction portion at least partially blocking said channel and acting with the container to limit movement in a horizontal direction and a lock protrusion member integral with and at an opposite end of said elongated concave member and projecting from an inner wall of said concave member, said protrusion member acting with the container to limit movement in a second horizontal direction.

6. The slidable closure device of claim 5 wherein said protrusion is essentially perpendicular to said inner wall at the point of contact.

7. A slidable closure device, adapted to be positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container permitting the carton to be opened and rescaled, comprising an elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel, said elongated concave member having an elongated opening parallel to said channel and a pin mounted on said container and insertable in said elongated opening. 

1. A slidable closure device adapted to be positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container permitting the carton to be opened and resealed, comprising an elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel; and a removable breakaway tab portion blocking at least a portion of one end of said channel with the intact and positioned tab portion functioning to ensure that said container has not been opened.
 2. The slidable closure device of claim 1 wherein said elongated concave member possesses a lock protrusion projecting from an inner wall of said concave elongated member which acts with the container to limit movement in a horizontal direction and an obstruction portion at least partially closing said channel and acting with the container to limit movement in a second horizontal direction.
 3. The slidable closure device of claim 2 wherein said lock protrusion is essentially perpendicular to said inner wall at a point of contact.
 4. The slidable closure device of claim 1 wherein said elongated concave member possesses an elongated opening parallel to the direction of said channel and a pin element insertable in said elongated opening.
 5. A slidable closure device on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container permitting the carton to be opened and resealed, comprising an elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel, an obstruction portion at least partially blocking said channel and acting with the container to limit movement in a horizontal direction and a lock protrusion member integral with and at an opposite end of said elongated concave member and projecting from an inner wall of said concave member, said protrusion member acting with the container to limit moVement in a second horizontal direction.
 6. The slidable closure device of claim 5 wherein said protrusion is essentially perpendicular to said inner wall at the point of contact.
 7. A slidable closure device, adapted to be positioned on a top ridge of a milk-type carton container permitting the carton to be opened and resealed, comprising an elongated concave member having a channel therethrough and being adapted to fit snugly on the top ridge of said container to permit movement in a direction parallel to said channel, said elongated concave member having an elongated opening parallel to said channel and a pin mounted on said container and insertable in said elongated opening. 